If Final Cut Pro isn't working
Learn what to do if Final Cut Pro for Mac won’t open, won't play a project, or isn't operating as expected in other ways.
Before you begin
If you just updated Final Cut Pro or macOS and Final Cut Pro isn't working, any third-party software or hardware you're using might not be compatible. Check these recommendations before proceeding with the steps in this article.
Back up your Final Cut Pro libraries, media, and the Final Cut Pro application.
Try these steps in order
After backing up and checking your storage devices, try each step below in order. When you've completed each step, test Final Cut Pro to see if you've fixed your issue.
Restart your Mac
Choose Restart from the Apple menu .
Disconnect external devices
An incompatible or malfunctioning external device can sometimes cause issues with Final Cut Pro. To test external devices:
Quit Final Cut Pro, then choose Shut Down from Apple menu .
Disconnect all external devices other than your keyboard and mouse.
For Intel-based Mac computers only, reset NVRAM. You only need to do this the first time you disconnect external devices.
Turn your Mac on.
If the issue only occurs when a particular device is connected, you might need to update or service the device. Contact the manufacturer for support.
Check system requirements
Make sure your Mac meets Final Cut Pro system requirements.
Make sure the app is working as expected
Check the Final Cut Pro User Guide to make sure the app is working as expected. You can search the user guide for key terms shown in alerts, alert icons, or error messages.
Update Final Cut Pro
Try to complete all active projects.
If you haven't already, back up your existing libraries and your current copy of the Final Cut Pro application.
Choose Apple menu > App Store, then click Updates in the sidebar.
If a Final Cut Pro update is available, note the version number of the update, then check the compatibility of any third-party software that you're using with Final Cut Pro.
To download and install the update, click the Update button next to Final Cut Pro in the Updates section of the App Store.
If no Final Cut Pro update is available, you're using the latest version. Proceed to verifying installation of Pro Video Formats.
Verify installation of Pro Video Formats
Make sure that you've installed Pro Video Formats.
Check media and device compatibility
Make sure to set the Privacy & Security settings on your Mac, which gives Final Cut Pro access to your photo library, Microphone, Camera, and Files and Folders.
Don't try to store Final Cut Pro libraries in these locations:
On a storage device you're using for Time Machine backups.
On the Desktop or in the Documents folder with Desktop & Documents turned on in iCloud Settings.
With third-party cloud storage services.
Check that you're using a supported media format.
Check that you're using a supported camera, and that you're importing media properly.
Check that you're using a supported storage device format, and that you have enough available storage space for your libraries and for exported project files. You might need to move your library and get additional storage, like an external storage device formatted with the APFS format.
For any external devices you're using like cameras, storage devices, or interfaces, check with the manufacturer for software or firmware updates. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when updating.
Check third-party software compatibility
Note all the third-party software you're using with your Mac, which can include video and audio plug-ins, other video apps, utilities, security, antivirus, and malware software. Then contact the developers to make sure their products are compatible with the versions of Final Cut Pro and macOS you have installed.
Developers can tell you if they have a software update. Follow their instructions to update their software.
If they don't have an update, follow the developers' instructions for removing incompatible software.
And before your next Final Cut Pro or macOS update, back up the Final Cut Pro app and your libraries, check third-party compatibility, and turn off automatic updates on your Mac.
Test in a new user account
Create another administrator user account on your Mac, then try to recreate the issue in the new account. If the issue doesn't occur in the new account, settings or files in the original account might be causing the issue.
Test with a new library and project
In the new library, create a new project using test media.
Try to reproduce your issue.
If you can't reproduce the issue using test media, the issue might be related to the media in the affected project. Obtain new copies of the media from the original source.
Reset Final Cut Pro preferences
Resetting preferences doesn't affect your libraries, projects, or media. However, any custom preference settings will be reset to their default settings. To reset Final Cut Pro settings:
Choose Final Cut Pro > Settings and note any specific settings you've made.
Quit Final Cut Pro.
Hold down the Command and Option keys, then open Final Cut Pro.
Click Delete Preferences.
Try to reproduce the issue you were experiencing. If the issue no longer occurs, open Final Cut Pro settings and reapply your custom settings.
Remove and reinstall Final Cut Pro
When you remove and reinstall Final Cut Pro, your libraries, projects, and media won't also be removed or affected in any way.
Open the Mac App Store, click your account name in the sidebar,
In the Finder, choose Go > Applications.
Locate Final Cut Pro and drag it to the Trash.
Reinstall Final Cut Pro from the App Store, or restore it from a backup. When restoring a copy of the Final Cut Pro application from a backup, you can either drag it from its storage location to your Applications folder or restore Final Cut Pro from Time Machine backups.
Test with a new volume
These steps are a final check to make sure Final Cut Pro, macOS and your Mac are working as expected by isolating to only Apple software and hardware, setting aside your libraries and projects, media and all other third-party items like plug-ins.
Install macOS on a new volume of your built-in startup disk. Make sure it's the same version of macOS that you're currently using.
When macOS installation is complete, set up the Mac, then set the default startup disk to the new test volume.
Shut down your Mac and disconnect all devices, except for a keyboard and mouse or trackpad.
Turn on your Mac.
Select the primary volume in the Finder, then press Command-E to unmount the primary volume. This leaves only the test volume mounted.
Download and install Final Cut Pro from the Mac App Store.
Use the test media to try to recreate the issue.
If the issue doesn’t occur, this confirms that Final Cut Pro, macOS, and your Mac are working as expected.
Still not working?
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